Tuesday, November 15th will be written in the history of Canadian soccer refereeing as a poignant moment. For it was on this day that Canadian FIFA Referee Mauricio Navarro refereed his final international match: a friendly between World Cup champions Spain and Costa Rica. For the record, the match, played at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, ended in a 2-2 draw with the World Cup champions scoring two late goals from from David Silva and David Villa after being down 2-0 earlier in the game.

Mauricio, a past member of the Vancouver Area Association executive of the BCSRA, has had a storied career including refereeing in numerous World Cup Qualifiers, the 2003 Gold Cup Final in Mexico City, being appointed to the 2007 Gold Cup, 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, CONCACAF Club Championship (precurser to the CONCACAF Champions League) 2007 semi-final 2nd leg and 2008 final and the 2008 MLS All-Star game. Locally, Mauricio was also the referee for the 2008 Provincial Men’s A Cup final, LA Galaxy-Vancouver Whitecaps friendly at BC Place (featuring David Beckham) and recently the Manchester City-Vancouver Whitecaps exhibition game at Empire Field.

We congratulate Mauricio on his fine career and wish well him well in the future.

BCSRA Life Member Dante Maglio will be feted, along with other inductees, at the Italian Cultural Center’s Anniversary Banquet to honour those in their special Hall of Fame celebration at 7pm on Friday, September 16th. The event will be held at the Italian Cultural Center in Vancouver, corner of Slocan St and Grandview Hwy.

  Tickets for the Anniversary Banquet cost $60 each and are subject to availability due to the large number of volunteers and invited guests. They will go on sale Thursday September 1, 2011 – through Wednesday September 14, 2011.  For further information or to purchase tickets, please call our office at 604-430-3337.

According to a press release from the Italian Cultural Center,” If Mr. Maglio’s friends identify themselves when they’re purchasing tickets and let us know they’re coming to support him, we’ll ensure your group is seated together at tables that are near one another.”

 Congratulations to Dante from all members in the BCSRA!

At the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Association, held Saturday, May 28th, Nick Hawley became the new President, taking over the final year of a 2 year term after outgoing President Elvio Chies had indicated a wish to step down after nine years of service.

The new executive is as follows (terms of new members in parenthesis):

• President: Nick Hawley (last year of a 2 year term)
• Vice-President: Laurie Miller, Direct-Sunshine Coast (by acclamation for a 2 year term)
• Secretary: Richard Brownie:
• Treasurer: Robin Woods (by acclamation for a 2 yr term)
• Area Appointed-Directors: Larry Cade (Van Island), Dave Miller (FV), Ron Schaeffer (Van. Area)

 Congratulations to the new executive!

A full report on the proceedings of the AGM will appear in the next issue of the Flag & Whistle, due 2nd half of June.